How to take a Cat on The Eurotunnel [Guide, FAQ & Prices]

Taking your cat on the Eurotunnel is very straightforward.

The Channel Tunnel is a simple and fast way to travel between the the U.K. and France. The Eurotunnel shuttle train runs between Folkestone and Calais 24 hours of the day and 365 days a year. The journey takes around 35 minutes.

So, if you are planning on taking your cat to France or to Europe from the U.K, or vice versa, taking the Eurotunnel is an easy and convenient way to travel.

In this article, we will talk you through how to take your cat on the Eurotunnel and answer the following questions:

• What documents do you need to take your cat on the Eurotunnel?
• How much does it cost to take your cat on the Eurotunnel?
• How do I book my cat onto the Eurotunnel?
• Are cats allowed in the Eurostar terminal buildings?
• Where will your cat travel while in the Eurotunnel?
• Can I take more than one cat on the Eurotunnel?
• What happens on the day of travel?

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What documents do you need to take your cat on the Eurotunnel?

You will need to bring the following documents with you:

1. Booking confirmation;
2. A microchip;
3. A Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate; and
4. Proof of rabies vaccination

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Microchip / Tattoo

Your cat will need to be fitted with a microchip, before or on the same day as their first rabies vaccination is administered. 

The microchip number of your cat, must match the microchip number on their documentation.

If your cat was tattooed before 3 July 2011, then that will be accepted as identification. 

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EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate

Your cat must have an EU Pet Passport, or an Animal Health Certificate to travel on the Eurotunnel.

If you are traveling from an EU country, you should get your cat an EU Pet Passport. 

If you are traveling from Great Britain, and have an EU Pet Passport issued after 1 January 2021, you will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate. As of 1 January 2021, the UK is listed as a Part 2 listed third country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Therefore EU Pet Passports issued in Great Britain, are no longer valid for travel to the EU. 

If your cat has an EU Pet Passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021, they will be accepted for entry into the UK. 

If you are traveling from a non EU Listed or Unlisted Third Country, you will need to obtain an Official Third Country Veterinary Health Certificate. 

How to obtain an Animal Health Certificate:

You will need to take your cat to the vet, no more than 10 days before your planned trip. 

The certificate will need to be signed by an official veterinarian. 

Your cat’s Animal Health Certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU, or Northern Island
• 4 months for onward travel within the EU
• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Your cat will require a new Animal Health Certificate for each trip to an EU country, or Northern Ireland from Great Britain. 

For further information, you can check Defra’s website. 

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Rabies Vaccination

Your cat must be at least 12 weeks old and vaccinated against rabies. 

The following information must be recorded by a registered vet in your cat’s Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport:

• Vaccine name
• Vaccine manufacturer
• Vaccination date
• Vaccine valid from date
• Vaccine expiry date

Your vet’s signature or stamp are mandatory. 

If you are traveling from EU and listed non-EU countries to the UK you must wait 21 days after the initial vaccination date. The vaccination date counts as day 0.

A waiting period is not required for subsequent visits to the UK, as long as your cat’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date and recorded in your dog’s vet documentation. 

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How much does it cost to take your cat on the Eurotunnel?

To book your cat on the Eurotunnel, it will cost just £22 each way.

It is recommended that you book your cat on the Eurotunnel in advance, this can done here.

However, there are additional costs that you should take into consideration.

These include the cost to obtain a pet passport or animal health certificate, microchip, rabies vaccination, a cat travel carrier and supplies such as food.

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How do I book my cat onto the Eurotunnel?

When booking your ticket for the Eurotunnel online, you will be given the option to add pets to your booking.

1. Go to the Fare Finder and enter all of your details – date and time of travel, vehicle details and country of residence.
2. Choose the specific time you would like to travel.
3. Choose whether you would like to upgrade to Flexiplus or add insurance to your trip.
4. On the same page you will see the section below. Simply select how many cats you will like to take with you.

Your cat’s ticket will be added to your basket, so you can enter all of your details and continue to checkout.

If you have already booked your ticket, it is still possible to add your cat to the booking.

It is possible to amend your travel booking up to midnight of the day of travel.

With most bookings you can do this online here using the password in your booking confirmation email. However, if you used Tesco travel vouchers, you will need to contact Eurotunnel by phone.

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Are cats allowed in the Eurostar terminal buildings?

Cats are not allowed into the terminal building where you will find the restaurants and duty free shops.

However, there are dedicated pet areas for your cat to stretch its legs and have a toilet break. You will find these marked in yellow throughout the terminals. You will also be able to find an exercise area behind the fuel garage once arriving in the U.K..

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Where will your cat travel while in the Eurotunnel shuttle?

When you are in the Eurotunnel shuttle, your cat must stay in the car with you for the 35 minutes.

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Can I take more than one cat on the Eurotunnel?

Yes. You are permitted to bring up to 5 cats with you.

For those travelling for a competition, show, sporting or other event, you are permitted to bring up to 20 cats with you if traveling from Calais to Folkestone. Commercial travel is not permitted from Folkestone to Calais, due to the agreement with the French Authorities. 

If you wish to travel with up to 20 cats from Calais to Folkestone, you must:

• Sign up to Eurotunnel Pet Transporter. It can take up to 14 days for your account to become active. 
• Provide a copy of an approved Type 2 license. 
• Provide a copy of a Vehicle Approval Certificate, issued by the relevant delegated bodies in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
• Be registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) FOR IPAFFS in Great Britain to enable notification to the UK authorities of all movement of live animals.
• Provide a copy of your Goods Movement document, confirming your 12 digit Goods Movement Reference (GMR), required by HMRC when travelling Calais to Folkestone.

For more information check here.

In order to complete the required pre-checks, please send all documentation together with a Eurotunnel disclaimer via the Eurotunnel contact us page.

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What happens on the day of travel?

#1 Check-in

Check-in with your cat at least 1 hour, and no more than 2 hours before your departure.

If travelling the Eurotunnel from Folkestone there are automated drive through check-in gates. Just follow the instructions on screen. There are no pet checks, you will just need to confirm you have the cats with you in your vehicle.

If travelling the Eurotunnel from Calais, follow the paw print signs to the Pet Reception building. There, they will check your cat’s documents and give you a sticker to display on your car.

#2 Boarding the shuttle

Drive your car up to the Departures Area and wait for your train time to be called before driving onto the shuttle.

#3 On the shuttle

As mentioned above, your cat must stay in your vehicle while in the Eurotunnel shuttle.

#4 After the shuttle

You and your cats are free to go!

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Final Words

Travelling on the Eurotunnel with a cat is very straightforward.

Just be sure to get your cat microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, at least 21 days before travel. If you are traveling from the EU you can get your cat an EU Pet Passport, and if you are traveling from Great Britain, you can obtain an Animal Health Certificate within 10 days of travel. 

Booking your cat onto the Eurotunnel is straight forward. There is an option to add pet’s onto your trip when using the online booking tool. It will cost £22 each way, per pet. 

Hopefully you have found this helpful.

Happy travels!